London Lodging Alternatives: Live Like a Local
Looking
for affordable lodging in London? Good luck. Chances are if you look
hard enough you'll find something, but then you're likely to be
nickeled-and-dimed to death for every little extra. The best way to
avoid Lodging Sticker Shock in London is to give up the hotel idea
altogether and live like a local, which you can easily do for a week or
more for half the cost of a London hotel.
Start by familiarizing yourself with some of the city agencies in London that provide information on apartment rentals, home exchanges, and exchange clubs. See Fodor's London Lodging Alternatives to learn more.
You should also consider B&Bs. There are scads to choose from, and the benefits of renting one are substantial. They're cheaper than a hotel room of comparable quality, and you have access to the kitchen so you don't have to eat every meal in a restaurant. The limitations are minimal. There is no staff at your beck and call, and most B&Bs and private homes are not in the center of town (though some are). Still, this is an excellent option. Attractive rooms in privately owned homes start as low as £60 per night. Search the Web and call around to find the place that's right for you. Here are a few agencies we like.
At Home in London
This service offers rooms in private homes in Knightsbridge,
Kensington, Mayfair, Chelsea, and West London. Prices are competitive
and include breakfast, and rooms are all approved by the agency. Prices
start at £28 per night. 70 Black Lion Lane, Hammersmith, W6 9BE.
Bulldog Club
The service offers delightful little London flats in sought-after
neighborhoods. A three-year membership is about £25, with most
properties available for about £105 per night. Full English breakfasts
and other goodies are often provided. 14 Dewhurst Road, Kensington, W14.
Coach House London Vacation Rentals
Stay in the homes of Londoners who are temporarily away. Apartments and
houses are mostly in Notting Hill, Kensington, and Chelsea. The extra
touches -- airport pickup, complimentary breakfast provisions, and a
welcome drink -- make this service personal. 2 Tunley Road, Balham, SW17 7QJ.
Host & Guest Service
This service can find you a room based on a huge selection of B&Bs
in London as well as the rest of the U.K., even in rural areas. A great
way to find excellent bargains. 103 Dawes Road, Fulham, SW6 7DU.
London B&B
A long-established family run agency, London B&B has some truly
spectacular -- as well as modest -- homes in central London. You can
see most of the properties on the company Web site. The staff is
personable and quite helpful. 437 J Street, Suite 210, San Diego, CA 92101.
Primrose Hill B&B
A small, friendly B&B agency genuinely committed to the idea that
traveling shouldn't be a rip-off. Expat American Gail O'Farrell has
family homes in or near village-y Hampstead, all of which are
comfortable. This used to be one of those word-of-mouth secrets, but
now that everyone knows, book well ahead. 14 Edis Street, Regent's Park, NW1 8LG. 020/7722-6869.
Uptown Reservations
As the name implies, this B&B service accepts only the more upscale
addresses and specializes in finding hosted homes or short-term
apartments for Americans, often executives of small corporations.
Nearly all the 85 homes on its register are in Knightsbridge,
Belgravia, Kensington, and Chelsea. Box 50407, Chelsea, W8 5XZ.
Photo courtesy of London B&B
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